Note: Are you ready for some sweet family time? That's what the next chapters are all about.
Just sit back and enjoy, all is well – until the war starts again in 1991.
At noon, that same Friday
Severus and Florence were having lunch in her private quarters and discussing how they were going to deal with gossip and rumours about them to guarantee discretion.
"You do know that it'll be very hard to hide our relationship, Flor," he said, "The wizarding world is a very small place filled with a huge number of gossip lovers."
She nodded, "Yes. I know, but we at least should deny it if anyone asks. For my father will return one day and-"
"I'll talk to him when that happens," Severus interrupted her, before sipping his glass of wine.
"What?" she frowned, "No, you're not!"
"It's not your decision to make," he added, sounding decisive.
Florence laughed sarcastically, "So this is how you think our relationship is going to go? You say something and I just say 'yes, sir'? Well, you are in for a big surprise, Severus! You're not making decisions that affect our whole family on your own."
He opened his mouth but she didn't give him time to speak, she went on, furious: "If that's what you want, I still have time to obliviate you and we return to what we were," just saying those words hurt her enough - if she had to actually do it, it would break her, "I'm not marrying you just to become a widow in a year!" she whispered angrily.
He stared at her, her words slowly entering his brain and making him realise that he was a father now, they were a family – his decisions didn't affect only him anymore.
"You're right, love," he nodded, picking up her hand from the table and kissing it, "I'm sorry. I guess I'll have to get used to... married life."
His words made Florence smile, "Married life. How crazy is it that we've finally reached this point?"
"It is nearly unbelievable," he chuckled, "I'm still afraid I'll wake up bleeding in the dungeons after the werewolf attack and all if this was nothing but a hallucination."
"It was not, Sev," she grazed her thumb over his hand, "You're not bleeding in the dungeons; I'd sense it and find you."
"Flor," he asked, with a suddenly serious expression: "I know you find it very easy to create your own spells, and that you can hold your own in a duel; has the Dark Lord trained you?"
"Yes," she looked down at her food, hesitating on saying anything else, letting him know it wasn't a good memory.
"What did he do to you, love?" he asked, entwining his fingers on hers.
"Well… Cruciatus and Imperio don't affect me. Not anymore."
Severus looked at her in astonishment, "He tortured you?"
"Well, yes," Florence didn't sugarcoat her training, "He first explained to me how to resist the curses, and then he cast them until I successfully did it. It took months... I was only ten," she paused, eating a little of her lunch.
Then she continued: "He used to say he was doing that because he didn't want to see anyone torturing or controlling his daughter," she stopped, looking at Severus's hands entwined with hers, and smiled, "Nagini's venom doesn't kill me either. Father used to inject me a tiny bit of her venom every day until the day he ordered her to bite me. She hesitated, but ended up doing it and... as you can obviously conclude, I didn't die. It hurt like hell though, but a few drops of Dittany were all it took to stop the bleeding and I didn't suffer from the corrosive effects of her venom."
Severus just stared at her for a moment, then he said: "All of that makes my father contender for a Father Of The Year Award."
"Nah. Once I learned to resist the curses, he only trained me once a week," she sipped her juice, "We used to duel then."
"I can't imagine a child duelling against him," he shook his head.
"I never won, obviously," Florence replied.
"But I bet you would now," Severus said with a newfound respect for her.
"Maybe. Hopefully we won't have to test that out for the next decade or so."
He was about to say something when, all of a sudden, Eileen ran out of the fireplace, looking at them and having a complete nervous breakdown.
"I CAN'T WAIT ANOTHER SECOND!" she shouted, "What was THAT this morning? The twins can't stop talking about having breakfast with their DAD! WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?"
Severus glanced at Florence before walking towards his mother.
"Mum, calm down. Everything is fine," he helped her to a chair and went to the fireplace to ask the kitchens for one more plate.
"Florence!" Eileen whisper-shouted, holding her hand, "Please, tell me something! Give me a sign! Anything. I don't know what's going on. Please."
Florence tried not to laugh at her godmother, so she sipped her orange juice and said: "Well, we talked," she looked up at Severus. "And..."
"She's marrying me," he finished the sentence for her, kissing her lips before sitting back at the table.
"WHAT?" Eileen shouted, "For real? I haven't gone crazy and this is all just a dream from my fucked-up brain?"
"No! You're not crazy," said Florence, chuckling, "He knows everything now."
"Oh, my Merlin!" Eileen shouted, hugging Florence and then Severus, tears running down her cheeks, "I'm. so sorry, my son. I'm so sorry I lied to you about the boys. It killed me to hear you talking about feeling a connection to them, and how much it hurt you that Sirius had made babies in her."
"It's ok, mum," he got up and held her tightly.
Eileen took deep breaths and looked at Florence, touching her face, "I can see how happy you are."
"I sure am," Florence replied, blushing a little.
"Thankgoodness that nightmare is over!" Eileen exclaimed, sitting back on her chair, "I hated seeing you two constantly arguing and bickering!"
"Can't promise you that won't happen though. He can be very stubborn, you know," said Florence, smiling.
"Talking about stubborn men. I'm dying to see you dealing with James!" Eileen said pointing at her son.
"I was under the impression this morning that he's the trouble-maker," Severus said.
"Well, Nicholas has his moments too, but Jamie..." Eileen sighed, "And yet he has all the teachers eating at the palm of his little hand. He's all you, Severus: charming, clever, stubborn, but you were a shy kid; now, Jamie? Not an ounce of shyness! That boy will be a huge problem when he hits his teens."
"I still have a decade to worry about that, let's not talk about it now," said Florence, sighing, "How are they after having breakfast with Severus?"
"They are on cloud nine! They told everybody that they had breakfast with their dad. Of course no one is understanding a thing for Sirius was always around. But the boys are very excited!"
"I'll be picking them up this evening to take them home," Severus said.
"Home? You mean to Hogsmeade?" Eileen looked at Florence.
"Yes. We'll be living there now," she replied.
"Together? As a family?" Eileen asked.
Severus held Florence's hand and laid a kiss on it, "Yes. Together, as a family."
And Eileen started happy-crying again.
Later that day
Eileen opened the doors of the daycare centre to let the parents walk in to pick up their kids and, for the first time, she saw her own son there, waiting for his own sons.
She waved at him and smiled, wiping a tear and going in to tell the boys their dad was there.
Severus waited nervously in front of the small school, his mind filled with anxiety. He hoped that the kids would be happy that he was there to pick them up. He also wondered if they'd want him to go live with them in Florence's house – turning that into their family home. If they said 'no', he'd be devastated.
Then he saw the two little dark-haired boys walk out of the door with their grandma and look at him. The world seemed to freeze for a second; Severus' fear of rejection paralyzing him.
But suddenly the twins were running towards him, screaming: "Dad!"
And right then Severus didn't care who saw them, he just crouched down to take them into a hug and when he stood up, he had both of them in his arms, one on either arm.
"Wow! You're strong, dad!" exclaimed James, "Mum and grandma can't pick both of us up anymore."
"You're big boys, now," Severus said, walking towards their house.
"We're going home?" asked Nicholas, surprised.
"Yes," said Severus.
"And you- are you staying?" James whispered, the fear of hearing a 'no' was clear in his voice.
"Do you want me to stay?" Severus asked.
The boys exchanged a look and said in unison: "Yes!"
"Then I'll stay."
"Wait. Does mom want you to stay?" asked Nicholas, worried.
Severus smiled, "Very good question, Nick. And, yes. I talked to your mum and she said I could stay if you two wanted me to."
"We do," they both said, hugging his neck.
"So that settles it, I'm staying," and he walked through Hogsmeade's main street with his sons on his arms - going home.
Delacour Manor
Tiffany watched Severus walking into the house with her little Masters.
He set the two little boys on the floor and the kids greeted her with a kiss on the cheek.
"Did you see, Tiff?" asked Nick, pointing at Severus, "This is our dad! And he's here to stay with us!"
Tiffany looked up at Severus with a frown, but didn't say anything in front of the kids.
"Where's mummy?" asked James.
"Upstairs, Master James," she replied.
The moment the boys ran upstairs looking for their mum, Tiffany turned to Severus, asking rudely: "What is Snape doing here?"
He looked at the little elf, remembering all that Florence had told him.
Tiffany had lived in the same house as the Dark Lord, she had nearly been eaten by Nagini, and she protected Florence and the twins – even from him; she was a brave and loyal creature who deserved his respect.
So he crouched down and said: "I've always known you've been taking care of Flor since she was born; however, I didn't know the whole story. Now I do. And I respect you, Tiffany. I can only dream that one day you can find it in your heart to forgive me."
"Keep dreaming," was her short reply as she walked away from him and into the kitchen.
Severus controlled the urge to laugh – he wasn't surprised, he had expected that kind of welcome from her. But Florence loved him, his kids loved him, so he could wait for Tiffany's respect.
He reached the upstairs corridor and saw another house elf helping the boys to the tub.
"Where's Florence?" he asked.
"Mistress is in the shower," the elf replied, as rudely as Tiffany.
"So... Tiffany has spoken to you about me."
Melody didn't reply.
Severus just winked at the boys and walked to Florence's room – now his room as well.
He opened the door and stopped; the thought of calling that room his filled him with joy; the place smelled of Florence. He wanted to take off his clothes and rub his body all over that bed.
Are you thinking of taking off your clothes? He heard her voice in his head.
He chuckled and stopped by the door of her bathroom – their bathroom – looking at her under the shower spray.
"If you are getting naked, I might need your help with something," she continued.
He flicked his wand towards the bedroom door, locking it and casting a silencing spell; then he stepped into the bathroom, making quick work of getting his clothes off and walking into the shower stall with her.
After getting dressed, Florence was walking downstairs when she saw Melody setting the table for dinner: two sets of plates and cups and small silverware for the boys, and two sets of plates and goblets and silverware for the adults.
She stopped by the table, realising that that would be the first time they would have dinner together as a family.
Hopefully the first of many.
She wiped a happy tear that fell down her cheek and walked upstairs to call them for dinner.
By the happy squeals and laughter, she could hear coming from inside the twins' room, she knew they were in there, so she stopped by the door, her heart filling with joy as she heard her boys shouting: "Dad!"
But when she opened the door, Florence didn't like what she saw: Nicholas was floating four feet above his bed and James had a wand in his hand - Severus's wand; while their father just looked at them with pure fascination in his face, sitting on the floor.
"What's happening here? Accio wand," she cast and the wand came to her hand.
James just stared at her, amazed that he had been disarmed for the first time in his life, and Nicholas fell face-first onto his bed, laughing.
Florence walked into the room and gave Severus his wand.
"We clearly need to talk about limits, Sev. They're not allowed to purposely use magic, and are forbidden to use a wand before they're eleven!" she looked at the boys, trying to keep an angry face at the sight of their dishevelled hairs and happy expressions.
"I'm sorry, love, that's not what two little boys told me," Severus said, putting his wand inside his pocket and looking at the kids.
"I said we used mom's wand once," explained James, "I didn't say she'd let us use it."
Severus frowned at his son, making a mental note to never again believe a word that little wicked boy said.
Get used to it. Florence sent him. James plays dirty to get what he wants.
"Lying to your dad might get you two what you want, but it might lose you both desert for a week," she said.
"Noo! Mummy, please!" they complained
"I didn't lie to daddy! James did!" said Nick.
"You played with the wand too!" shouted James.
Severus got up from the floor, stopping beside Florence, saying: "I guess if you don't stop arguing, it'll have to be two weeks."
And the twins fell silent, looking at him, shocked that he was siding with their mum and extending their punishment.
She smiled at him, I think I might be needing to be disciplined later too, professor.
He just arched an eyebrow at her.
"We'll stop!" the kids said in unison.
"Ok. So just a week it is," said Severus.
"Now, go wash your hands for dinner," Florence said, having her waist wrapped by Severus's arms.
James frowned at that but followed his brother to the bathroom.
"What happened, Jamie?" asked Nick by the bathroom sink.
"Dad was hugging mum."
"That's good, right?" Nick smiled.
"I guess," James started washing his hands too.
"Mum takes care of us, dad will take care of her and us!"
"Hm," was all James said, thinking hard if he liked that or not, "But she's our mum!"
"Mums marry dads. You said so!" Nick reminded him.
James finished washing his hands and followed his brother downstairs, still trying to understand that new feeling.
Something's wrong with James. Florence told Severus, who was sitting at the head of the table, during dinner.
He looked from her, sitting on his right, to the boy eating on his left.
"What's wrong, James? You look upset."
"You hugged mum. I... didn't like it."
Florence smiled.
Aww. He's jealous. So that's hereditary. She looked at Severus with a smirk.
He ignored her teasing and looked at his son, he knew what the boy was feeling but he had no idea what to say to him.
"It's not wrong to feel what you're feeling but... I love your mum just like you do. So I'll want to hug and kiss her."
James looked at him and then at Florence. "Still... I don't like it."
There's no point talking to dark-haired jealous males. Believe me. Been there, done that. Florence said in his mind, while sipping her wine.
Severus just smiled, shaking his head.
After dinner, the kids took their dad to watch TV in the living room, and Florence went to the library to read in silence.
11 p.m.
Florence yawned and put the book she had been reading down onto the sofa, only then noticing she was being watched.
Severus was by the door, one boy on either side of him – both trying to copy his pose.
She smiled; seeing the three of them together warmed her heart and made her believe in a better future.
"What are you doing, mummy?" asked Nicholas, walking toward her, looking really tired. He jumped onto her lap and laid his head on her shoulder.
"I was reading, baby," she murmured, kissing the top of his sleepy head.
James tugged on his dad's pants and moved his arms up, showing that he wanted to be picked up.
Severus did as the boy wanted and walked into the library, sitting beside Florence on the sofa with his son on his lap.
Nicholas was already asleep against his mother's neck. And James had also closed his eyes, his head resting on his father's chest.
"They're not used to staying up past nine," Florence whispered, "But they were so excited about having you here that I didn't want to send them to bed and ruin their fun."
"They're amazing kids," Severus sounded awestruck.
"They are," she agreed with a sweet smile, "Also, they have some sort of mind connection; Eileen and I believe they can actually speak to each other."
"i noticed it, it's astounding," he looked at her with a small smile, "And they know everything about me."
"Yes, I told them all I could; they think you're so strong and brave," she smiled, "Just let me warn you that James thinks Remus is the coolest person on earth and he wants to be a werewolf when he grows up."
Severus let out an exaggerated sigh: "That settles it: we are getting a new nanny."
Florence looked at him reproachfully, "Don't call him that. He helped me so much with the boys after Sirius was locked up."
Severus frowned, needing to know: "The boys never thought Sirius was their dad?"
"Nope," Florence shook her head, "I dare say they never felt that he was. It's hard to explain. Even when I was pregnant; they knew when you were around."
"Really?" he was surprised to learn that, "That's so sweet..." he touched her face, loving to see her leaning towards his touch.
"Yes, it is," she smiled.
He pulled her face towards him, kissing her lips slowly before whispering: "Thank you, love."
She frowned, "What are you thanking me for?"
"Thank you for giving me these amazing kids. Thank you for being such a strong woman and protecting them during the war; if you had told me the truth, your father-" he stopped and frowned, "It's so weird to say that."
"You'll get used to it," she shrugged, caressing Nick's hair.
"What I want to say is... if I had known the truth, your father would have found out and demanded to meet them. Then he'd have sensed the boys' powers and would probably want to keep them."
Florence gulped, not wanting to think of what her father would've done to her kids. She caressed James's hair and wrapped her arm tighter around Nick, fear growing in her heart.
"He's not fully gone yet," she whispered.
"Florence," Severus pulled her chin up gently, "Right now, sitting with you and these kids on this sofa, I can assure you I won't let anything or anyone hurt you or them," he held her gaze, "We're together now, love, and we'll stand together against your father."
She touched her nose to his, feeling tears of happiness and hope flooding her eyes, "I love you."
"You're everything to me."
Then they heard James complaining, sleepily: "Stop kissing mum," his little hand touching Severus' face, making them laugh.
"Now, let's go upstairs and put these two babies in their beds, so we can go to our bed, Prof. Snape," she said, looking at him like a woman with a plan.
"I like the way your mind works, Mediwitch Delacour."
Florence smiled all the way up to the boys' room, carrying Nick and looking at Severus carrying James, her heart filled with love and hope.
Saturday, December 5th, early morning
Severus woke up the next day before Florence and just held her, enjoying the feeling of having her in his arms with no more secrets between them.
He could see the sun shining through the curtains, but he didn't care to check the time – he felt like he was exactly where he was supposed to be: at home, with Florence sleeping in his arms and their kids sleeping safely down the hallway.
He was amazed at how easily he had embraced his role as the twins' dad; the way the boys looked at him with admiration made him want to make the world a safe place so that nothing could ever hurt them or the woman on his chest.
He caressed her hair, thinking of all the things he'd just discovered about her, admiring her even more. Florence was one of the strongest people he knew. She-
His thoughts were interrupted by the soft 'pop' of Tiffany apparating into the room, dressed in a pretty purple dress.
"Don't you knock, Tiff?" Severus asked, knowing that the elf was there to lecture him.
And, as expected, she looked at him angrily.
"Is Snape here just to make Mistress Flor suffer when he breaks her heart again?"
"No, I'm here to stay," he put Florence's head on a pillow and sat up on the bed, careful to keep his private parts covered by the duvet, realising he needed to convince the stubborn house-elf that he meant no harm.
Tiffany looked at him with distrust.
"Snape makes Mistress Florence cry too much. She cries because she worries Snape will die. She cries because of the other woman Snape was to marry. She cries because Snape dared to accuse her of sleeping around while she cried for the baby-that-is-no-more!" she crossed her arms and declared: "Tiffany can't trust Snape."
He sighed, "I understand, and I respect your feelings. But I'm here to stay. With time I hope you'll see that I'm here to make Florence happy. I love her and I don't like seeing her crying either," he paused, looking the elf in the eyes, "I'll marry her, Tiffany. And I will help you protect them from now on."
Tiffany could hear the honesty on his voice, and that was the only reason she slowly nodded, "Snape will get Mistress Flor a pretty ring?"
He smiled, "Yes. Of course. As beautiful as her."
"Not possible. Tiffany's Mistress is too beautiful," she replied, seriously.
"Well, see, we can finally agree on something, Tiff," he tried to lighten the mood - but it was fruitless, for Tiffany just stared at him, in silence.
Florence stirred on the bed, opening her eyes to find that weird scene of her naked husband-to-be talking to her angry-looking house-elf.
"What's going on? Is everything alright, Tiff?" she asked, sitting up on the bed.
The elf's eyes immediately soften as she looked at Florence, "Yes, Mistress. Tiffany was just talking to Snape," she paused, looking at him with anger still, "Tiffany won't disrespect Snape anymore, but Snape is NOT Tiffany's Master!" and she disapparated.
Florence looked at Severus, "Well, how about that? It seems you'll have to prove your worth to my house elves."
Severus chuckled, "I'll do my best," he pulled Florence to his chest, "But I was already expecting her mistrust, I'm just glad I still have your heart. Despite all my stupidities, you're marrying me."
Florence frowned at him, feigning surprise: "Am I?"
"Oh, yes, yes you are," he lay on top of her, kissing her.
"How are we getting married though?" she touched his face, "The Ministry cannot know about us, Severus. Wedding records are public, anyone could learn about it. Rumours are easy to dispel, but wedding records are official..."
"I know," he interrupted, "And I already have a solution: the book about magical bonds that I read has the answer."
"Oh. And what is it?" she was intrigued.
"It's a magical ritual - old magic," he kissed down her neck, "You know... if I had read that damn book sooner, I'd have realised the boys couldn't be Black's."
"Well, I never said you were a genius," Florence teased, rolling them over and lying on top of him, kissing his chest, moving down his hard stomach, "We usually have lunch with your mother on Saturdays. She's so happy that she doesn't have to lie to you anymore," she said while kissing past his navel.
"Let's not talk about my mother when you're about to suck me," he groaned.
"Oh, really? And who said I will do that?" she gave him a mischievous smile.
"I'm saying it now," he growled, guiding her head where he most needed it.
Thirty minutes later, Florence lay on her back, gasping for air, "That was all I needed," she said between breaths, "Fetch me some Skele-Gro, Mr Potions Master, cause I've gone boneless."
He dropped onto his back on the bed, laughing hard at her silly joke. Florence laughing with him.
He pulled her to his chest, "I love you, Flor," he kissed her lovingly, "Tonight we'll go out for dinner. Just you and me."
"Like a date?"
"Yes. I could never take you anywhere before. I want to do it now."
"Where will we go?" she asked.
"To The Fountain."
"Wow. The Fountain of Fair Fortune is a very expensive restaurant, Severus. You don't have to-"
"I want to," he interrupted her, "Please, let me do this. I never had money to give you anything, now I do."
"Fine," she said, "But I'm not marrying you for your money and you know that."
He laughed, "Yes, I know that." and he kissed her again.
Then they heard knocks on the door and quickly went to the bathroom to clean themselves up and get dressed.
Once they were presentable, Florence opened the bedroom door and the twins ran to the bed, jumping on their father.
"Morning, dad!" they shouted happily.
Florence sat on the bed, smiling as she watched that lovely scene.
"What about me?" she asked, fake pouting.
"Morning, mummy!" they said, hugging her as well.
"I'll go downstairs and ask Mel and Tiff to prepare our breakfast," ahe said, "I'll call you three when it's ready."
She went to the door and turned back, pointing a finger at her future husband: "No wands."
"No wands," Severus repeated.
And then she left the room.
"How about we go to visit grandma later?" Florence asked the kids, as they were finishing breakfast.
"Yes!" they exclaimed.
"Can dad help us get dressed today?" asked James.
"I don't know, boys, I think your dad wants to take a shower and-" Florence said.
"No problem," Severus said, getting up from his chair, "I'll help these babies and you go shower first," he kissed her lips.
"We're not babies!" complained James, putting on his grumpy face, crossing his arms over his chest, and looking at his father angrily, "And no kissing!"
"Where have I seen this face before?" Severus chuckled as he stared at little James, who looked so much like him.
"I'm not a baby!" James said, before he walked upstairs by himself, "And I really don't like the kissing!" he shouted.
Severus picked up Nicholas in his arms and asked Florence: "What do I do now?"
"Well, according to your mother, James is exactly like you were. So think about how you'd have liked someone to talk to you when you were little and angry."
"I'll help you, daddy," said Nicholas.
And he walked upstairs, with Nick in his arms, going after James.
From the upstairs corridor, Severus could hear the sounds of crying, and when he opened the boys' bedroom door, he saw his son sitting on the bed.
Severus put Nicholas on the floor and the boy walked toward his brother.
"Why are you crying, Jamie?" Nicholas asked.
"You may be a baby, but I'm not!" James answered.
"But we're only three, we're not grownups," Nick shook his head.
"But we must look after mum." James said, worry in his voice, "And we can't protect her if we're babies."
Severus' heart clenched; he couldn't help but think that those little boys worried about taking care of their mum because he hadn't been there to protect them.
"But dad's here now," Nicholas said, looking at their father, "He'll help us look after mum."
"Really?" James asked, his dark eyes full of tears as he looked at his father, "You'll stay here with us? Forever?"
"Yes," Severus kneeled in front of the kids, trying hard not to cry as well, "I'll never leave you. We'll protect Florence together," the boys hugged his neck, and he kissed both their heads, taking a deep breath to control the tears that threatened to spill from his eyes.
"And I don't like you kissing mum..." he heard James softly say.
Severus looked at his face, "But I love her, just like you two. You hug and kiss her all the time, why can't I?"
James frowned, "I just don't like it."
Severus smiled at the little boy's struggle to deal with his jealousy, "I know how you're feeling, I don't like when your mum hugs Lupin."
"Uncle Moony?" asked James, confused. "Why?"
Severus shrugged, "I don't know, I just don't like it. But I respect that he does it."
Come again? Severus heard Florence's voice in his mind and saw her appear by the door with her arms crossed. Lying will get you to lose dessert, Severus.
Then she said out loud: "Boys, I'm happy that your dad's here with us. And I want him to hug and kiss me."
Mum truly looks happier now that dad's here. Said Nick to his brother.
James looked clearly displeased by the thought of his dad kissing his mum, but he had to agree with his brother: she was happier, so he conceded: "I'll let you kiss her, then. I'll respect it."
"Thank you, Jamie," said Severus, "Now that you both can be little kids again, let's get dressed so we can go visit your grandma!"
Florence left to go get dressed herself, a smile on her lips, feeling so much love for Severus and for their kids that she truly believed that, together, they could face whatever the future had in store for them.
Thirty minutes later
Florence was waiting for Severus and the kids in the living room, but it was taking them too long to get ready. So she walked upstairs and opened the door to the boys' room.
"Are you ready?" she asked and then she saw the mess: Severus was throwing stuffed toys at the boys and they were using involuntary spells to avoid being hit by them. "Oh, no! Stop that! We're going to be late! Severus!"
But he was too amazed by the kids to make them stop.
"Dad, do you want to see our animal forms?" asked James.
"No!" Florence exclaimed.
"Yes!" Severus said at the same time.
And suddenly a small black bear cub was playing around on the floor with a small black German Shepherd puppy.
"That's enough!" Florence ordered angrily, and the boys stopped playing, "You two transform back right now!" they did as she'd ordered and looked at her and then at their father.
"You'd better be dressed and downstairs in fifteen minutes! The three of you!" she pointed at her future husband as well.
Once Florence left the room, they looked at one another.
"Mum got angry," said Nicholas.
"And dad got lectured with us!" James laughed.
"Let's get dressed, boys," said Severus, smiling.
Then he helped the twins choose their outfits and used a spell to change his own clothes.
They walked downstairs within the fifteen-minute time-limit Florence had given them, and the four of them went, by Floo, to Spinner's End.